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YouTube’s 20 Most-Viewed Ads of 2012

YouTube's 20 Most-Viewed Ads of the Year

1. My Time is Now (Nike)

The second-biggest sporting event of the year, next to the Olympics, was soccer's Euro 2012 -- which explains why this ad was the most-viewed. The commercial is filled with soccer stars such as Ronaldo, Iniesta, Ribery and Neymar, who are challenged by a group of unknown players who invade a stadium in the middle of a game between France and the Netherlands.

2. Uncle Drew (Pepsi Max)

In this hilarious ad, Kyrie Irving joins a pick-up basketball game in New Jersey, pretending to be "Uncle Drew." At first, it looks like a middle-aged man struggling to keep up with younger players -- but then comes the surprise.

3. The Bark Side (Volkswagen)

How would Star Wars's "Imperial March" sound if a group of dogs barked it? This video has the answer.

4. The Next Big Thing is Already Here (Samsung)

With this clever commercial, Samsung continues its series of innovative and sarcastic ads making fun of the iPhone 5.

5. Matthew's Day Off (Honda)

Honda revives classic coming-of-age movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, with this funny ad featuring none other than Matthew Broderick himself, who skips a day of acting to take a ride in his CR-V.

6. The Dog Strikes Back (Volkswagen)

This Volkswagen ad features both Darth Vader and a dog that wants to get back in shape -- an unlikely combo that delivers a hilarious ad.

7. GoPro HERO3: Black Edition (GoPro)

GoPro launched its new camera, the Hero3, with this breathtaking commercial that opens with stunning views of mountains, beaches and cities. It then showcases spectacular footage taken by skiers, surfers and kayakers.

8. Halftime in America (Chrysler)

Before Clint Eastwood was ridiculed for his Republican National Convention appearance alongside a chair, he was featured in this Chrysler ad that praises Detroit's recovery after the economic crisis. Ironically, Republicans thought the ad was pro-Obama.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Rafael Nadal (Nike)

It's hard for an ad to go wrong when it features two of the biggest sports stars in the world. Here, tennis ace Rafa Nadal and soccer's second-best player Cristiano Ronaldo battle in an unlikely tennis match in which one of them doesn't even use a racket.

10. Vampire Party (Audi)

In this Super Bowl commercial, a Vampire gets to a party with his new Audi. The party comes to a screeching -- err, make that burning -- halt thanks to the car's new, bright LED headlights.

11. 2012 (Chevrolet Chevy Silverado)

The Chevy Silverado can take you to the end of the world: That's the message of this apocalyptic-parody commercial that also takes a jab at Chevrolet's main competitor.

12. Pocket Like It's Hot (Hot Pockets)

Snoop Lion endorses Microwaveables with this music video.

13. Blown Mind (Old Spice)

Men's deodorant Old Spice didn't rank in the top 10, but its short and funny ad is just the first of four more that made it into the top 20.

14. Bounce (Old Spice)

15. Make it with a Fireman (Sauza Tequila)

In this somewhat odd ad, a fireman "comes to the rescue" to prepare a margarita for a ladies' night out. Oh, it features a cute kitty too.

16. It's Reinvented (Toyota Camry)

Toyota reinvented the Camry, so why stop there and not reinvent other things, such as blinds made of pizza or time-traveling babies?

17. Corkscrew Jump (Hot Wheels)

For this Hot Wheels commercial, stunt-man Brent Fletcher breaks the record for longest corkscrew jump with a 92-foot leap.

18. Charlie Sheen House Arrest (Fiat)

In this commercial, Charlie Sheen seems to enjoy being under house arrest.

19. Bed (Old Spice)

Old Spice strikes again, this time with Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings.

20. Vending Machine (Old Spice)

Old Spice ends the list with another commercial, featuring Terry Crews.

2012 is coming to an end, so it's time to recap the 20 most-viewed ads on YouTube this year. It was a big year for sports and car commercials. In fact, almost all of these ads feature a sports star, a car or both — and many were broadcast during the Super Bowl.

The most-viewed commercial was a Nike ad featuring some of the biggest soccer stars in the world going up against a huge crowd of unknown players. Volkswagen continued its successful series of Star Wars-themed ads, while Old Spice somehow placed four commercials in the top 20.

Think With Google, which provides information on consumer trends and industry research, compiled this list. Watch all 20 ads in the gallery above.

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